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out iii praises to God for Iris goodness to me a sin
ner in sparing my altogether unprofitable life, when
I deserved nothin? but death and banishment from
o
his preenee forever. “But God who is rich in
mercy for the great love wherewith He loved us
even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened
us together with Christ, for by grace ye are saved,
&o.; for by grace are je saved through faith, that
not of yourselves, it’ is the gift of God not of works,
lest any man should boast.” I felt like I could
adopt the language of the Apostle Paul, “ For I
know that in me, (that is in my flesh,) dvvelleth no
good thing,” &c. For the good that I would, Ido
not, but the evil which I would not, that I do. —
I kept all these exercises of mind to myself. I
woukl go to meeting and the preacher would take
up my case, (as he had often before,) and tell how
the sinner felt under a work of grace ; I thought 1
could witness along until he would come to their
deliverance, and I thought mine did not come up
to the mark, and it would not do, and at other
times it seemed almost like it would ; I had some
trials on the subject for nine years. Sometimes at
baptiz : ng I was asked why I did not bring my
clothes and go into the water, I told them l was
not fit, and thought if they knew my heart they
would not want me ; many times did I go into mer
ry company and try to give it all up, then I would
think surely il I was a Christian I would not act as
I do. After waiting several years to get a better
hope, I had to go to the church with the same lit
tie one I had had for years. On Saturday before
the third Sunday in Dec. 1855, 1 related in sub
stance what I have here wrote to the church at
Harris’ Spring, was received, and on the day follow
ing I in company with my wife was baptized by
Eid. Isaac Hamby. At that time I felt anjease of
mind, but next morning I became very much dis
tressed, for I feared I had deceived the church, and
if I could only have then called it back, I would
have kept it all to myeelf.
But oh, dear brethren, that night after lying
down meditating, when all at once the love of God
seemed to burst in my soul and the trouble I had
about joining the church left me. these words
came in my mind, “There is therefore now no con
demnation to them which are in Christ Jesus who
walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” Then
I could see that I had been walking after the flesh
for years } it appeared to mo that 1 then had a clear
er view of the plan of salvation by grace than I
ever had before. 1 thought I should never see any
more trouble. But oh, how mistaken I was, I have
daily passed through many troubles and trials, but
if we are Christ's we shall come off more than con
querer through him that loved us and gave him
self for us, &c. As I have been much lengthier
than I expected when I commenced this, I will
close by saying, if I am a child of God surely I am
the least and fartherest behind of all the flock.
WM. ADAMS.
The Editors being absent attending the Oconee
Association, will account for the lack of Editorial
matter in this dumber.
Printer.
SOUTHERN BAPTIST MESSENGER.
Appointments.
Elders Meadors and Culp will preach at
Che walla, Marshall Cos., Miss., Thursday, Nov. 8.
Tallaloosa, Friday, Nov. 9.
Pleasant Grove, Saturday & Sunday, Nov. 10, 11.
Bethesda, Monday, Nov. 12.
Horn Lake, Tuesday, Nov. 13.
Union, Wednesday, Nov. 14.
Shiloh, Thursday, Nov. 15.
Leaving home on tlfe Rail Road, we will be de
pendent on the brethren for conveyance from place
to place, throughout the appointments.
PETER CULP.
0231TniLHIES.
It is with a sad heart, and yet I trust with a re
signed will that I write the following notice of my
much esteemed but deseased brother Eugene.
Mr. EUGENE E. Son of Eld. Benjamin, and Mrs.
N. A. Lloyd, was born May 20, 1838, and died at his
mother’s residence near Greenville, Ala., July 4th,
1800, aged 22 years, 1 month, and 8 days.
When death enters our doors and takes from our
arms our dearest friends, notwithstanding the conso
lation Christianity affords, nature will melt into tears.
In the abodes of sorrow Rachels are mourning, and
too often refusing to be comforted because their chil
dren and friends are not. For Eugene we “weep
not as those who have no hope.” lie was next
younger than mvself, and truly he was a dutiful son
a kind and affectionate brother. And although he
never attached himself to the church, yet for several
years previous to his death, he oftentimes seemed
much concerned in reference to his future welfare. —
I have often seen the penitential tears chase each
other down his youthful cheeks. For several months
previous to his illness and death, he was a close stu
dent of the Bible, lie was moral all his life, but for
the last year of his life particularly, I suppose a
more perfect pattern of morality never existed. We
have a very strong hope that he is now in heaven.—
During his illness of 4 weeks, he often seemed med
itative and made remarks that led us fully to believe
that he was prepared to depart. Avery short time
before his dissolution, that mother who had so often
prayed for him, and who had taught him when a
child to pray, bowed by his bedside, and prayed with
and for him, and when she arose from her knees, he
exclaimed, “ Bless the Lord this night. ’ Brother
Eugene had a mind well stored with useful knowl
edge. Having been a student at College for several
sessions, and subsequently a teacher, he had become
familiar not only with the higher branches of an
English education but with the classics also. His
His station in life, his vivacity and amiableness,
promised his family’ and friends many consolations
for days to come. But alas 1 the blast of death has
converted hope into calamity 1
His body is committed to the grave. 0 grave!
Why didst thou receive that noble form? We are
not accustomed to commit so precious a treasure to
thy custody. Thou hast received an illustrious de
posit, for death hath shown that he “ loves a shin
ing mark.” My beloved brother, farewell but not
forever ! Thou hast fallen in the vigor of youth but
with thine armor on 1 Thou hast fallen beloved by
thy family and friends. Indeed none knew thee,
but to love thee. We see thee no more in the walk
of life, but we shall see thee again. Jesus thy Sa
vior and ours says, “ I am the resurrection and the
life, he that believeth on me, though he vvere dead,
yet shall he live.” Thou shalt live again ! Thy
body so recently intered, will be reanimated and
fashioned like the Redeemer’s glorious body. The
ransomed of the Lord will up from the grave, inves.
ted with the glories of incorruption, and sing with
triumph, “O death, where is thy sting?’ O grave
where is thy victory ?” Thanks be unto God, “ who
giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ,”
—victory through Christ —that is enough. God grant
that we who live may meet thee, our fathers broth
ers and sisters in heaven, and be a complete family
in the realms of bliss. J, L. LLOYD.
Dear Brethren : —At the request of the bereav
ed widow and son of the deceased, I send you the
following obituary for publication.
Departed this- life at his residence, near Pine Lev
el, Montgomery Cos., Ala., on the evening of Aug.
28, 1860, of Typhoid Fever, Eld. F. SWINT, aged
71 years, and 5 days. Bro. Swint was born Aug.
23, 1789, was raised in Hancock Cos., Ga., where he
was united by marriage to Miss Rebecca Harris,
Aug. 13, 1811. According to sister Swiat’s best re
collection, (the records being misplaced,) he obtain
ed a hope in the Lord about the year 1830, and was
accordingly received and baptized at Darien church,
by Eld. James Steallv, it being at that time unspot
ted from the world. I mean Darian church was
foreign from the institutions of men, and a stranger;
to the New Hampshire confession of faith. lie
remained there until the division of the Bap
tists, about 1837, when he and his companion with
drew, on account of the introduction of men-made
societies into the church. Bro. Swint commenced
exercising in the character of a minister about two
years subsequent to his reception into the church,
since which time he has been actively engaged in
the vineyard of his Master.
The humble writer has been intimately acquainted
with the deceased since 1854, have traveled many
j miles to different Associations in his company. I
have stayed several night at his residence, and he
has also stayed several nights with me, and I can say
of a truth, that he has been to me not only interes
ting company, but also a pattern of piety, and what
I considered a model Baptist. Bro. Swint was re
spected as a citizen, highly esteemed as a neighbor,
and beloved by his brethren, lie was a kind Mas
ter, an affectionate husband, an indulgent father, and
we feel confident that a father in Israel has fallen.
Elizabeth church feels the loss as irreparable. May
the good Lord enable us to say with his servant of
old, “ The Lord giveth, the Lord taketh away, bless
ed be the name of the Lord,”
“ But we shall see his face no more,
Until we meet on Canaan’s shore,
Where we’ll join with him and sing,
Honor to our Lord and King.
We have heard him preach and pray,
Oft have heard our brother say,
If on earth we meet no more,
I hope we’ll meet on Canaan’s shore.”
In his last illness which lasted about ten days, he
complained of little or no pain, which brings to our
mind the language of the Poet, which says,
“Jesus can make a dying bed,
Feel soft as downy pillows are,
While on his breast we lean our head,
And breathe our life out sweetly there.”
Yours as ever,’ W. E. FREEMAN.
Bamah, Ala., Sept. 10, 1860.
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